OREM — It's hard for folks in Orem's City Hall to think of filling the empty City Council seat in Orem so soon after Doug Forsyth's death.

However, it is what the law requires.

Forsyth, 62, a member of Orem's council, died Dec. 21 after a long battle with leukemia. His colleagues now have 30 days to pick a replacement.

It will be difficult to replace someone like Forsyth, who "brightened our meetings," said fellow council member Karen McCandless.

"We're looking for someone who just has some common sense and is a good thinker — who plays well with others," McCandless said. "Those are things I really liked about Doug. We'll really miss him. I'm sure he would say, 'Make sure whomever you appoint has a good sense of humor.' "

The City Council will accept applications — from voting-age Orem residents of at least one year — until Jan 16. On Jan. 17, they will question the applicants.

The mayor and council will spend the next few days reviewing the applicants. They will announce a decision Jan. 19, having given the public the two weeks' notice required by law.

Residents who want to serve their city but dislike campaigning can express interest. Often, individuals who apply but aren't appointed still become involved in another branches of city government.

"It's a very valuable process in meeting people who want to serve the community," said Mayor Jerry Washburn. "It's a door-opening process for them and for us."

The application process is also less intimidating.

When Mike Thompson was elected to the Utah Legislature in 2001, he had to resign his Orem council post. McCandless applied with the encouragement of friends and family.

"I lacked the courage," she said. "The appointment process will bring people who maybe would be really good, but for whatever reason didn't run."

Like McCandless, Forsyth was also appointed in 2002 to fill a position. He was selected to replace Judy Bell, who resigned. He was elected in 2003.

This is the second time in recent years that Orem has had to replace an elected city official because of a death. Former mayor Joe Nelson, who was elected in 1998, died during his term in 1999.

Chris Yandow, a former councilman, served for five months as interim mayor but didn't run again. Washburn was then elected and sworn into office in January 2000.

Zach Napierski, who ran for a council seat in November, said he is still undecided about applying. "We're certainly keeping all of the options open," he said.

There is little worry about a lack of applications. However, if the council doesn't feel comfortable with any of the applicants, they can appoint someone on their own, said Donna Weaver, the city recorder. It's unlikely, but legal.

Still, say city officials, the successful candidate will have big shoes to fill.

"Doug, he was a very special person in that he had the ability to focus on issues and have a broad overview of issues and yet bring a lighthearted, easy approach to them," Washburn said. "Doug . . . was always trying to be fair-minded and was always well prepared. Those are things that you miss."

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